The sun is peaking and temperatures are spiking into the 30s and 40s as we near the halfway mark of summer. There’s a great solution to all that if you’re on the road Down Under and it’s a five letter word – beach! Here are five worth splashing about it in to beat the heat.

1. Cable Beach

Broome, WA

A beach is a beach, until you reach Cable Beach in Broome, that is, when you realise beaches throughout the world can be very different indeed. The burnt orange sunsets set this place apart from others along its 22km stretch and throw in the fact that it really does present as an untouched stretch of shoreline with pure white sand and turquoise water and it’s an unforgettable experience. Set on the Indian Ocean, the sunsets are insanely beautiful. At the southern end is Gantheaume Point where at low tide you can see 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Gantheaume Point Lighthouse is also a super place to catch a glimpse of dolphins and migrating whales.

2. Venus Bay

South Gippsland, VIC

The coastal hamlet of Venus Bay is set on a narrow peninsula of land, bordered on one side by the open sea of Bass Strait and on the other by the calm waters of Anderson Inlet. The powerful tides of Venus Bay entice surfers throughout the year and are frequented by travellers in need of a refreshing swim, but they are not for the faint hearted ? remember to always swim between the flags. Venus Bay is patrolled by lifesavers throughout the summer months.

3. Noosa Main Beach

Sunshine Coast, QLD

Noosa Main Beach is one of those dreamy, picture-perfect scenes (pardon the cliches) where beaches simply don’t come as enticing for leaping into or going for a cruisy stroll at morning or night. Pods of dolphins often turn up for a splash and the beach has ripper surfing conditions around the Noosa Park headland, which presents annually as home to the Noosa Festival of Surfing each March. Noosa Main Beach’s north-facing direction is perfect for sheltered conditions which takes the edge of the cooler breezes in the colder months, so it becomes the great allrounder: you can turn up any time of the year and enjoy this beach for all seasons. It’s a beauty.

4. Seven Mile Beach

North Coast, NSW

Secluded Seven Mile Beach near Nowra is a beach located within its own national park and surrounded by sand dunes and several coastal sand forests, some of which are listed as endangered ecological communities. Seven Mile Beach was once used as a runway by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith as he took off on his first commercial flight from Australia to New Zealand in 1933. A very isolated beach, windsurfers find the secluded spot perfect. The beach is great for families with barbecue and picnic facilities and it is also one of New South Wales’ most famous beaches for a spot of great fishing.

5. Glenelg Beach

Glenelg, SA

The beauty of Glenelg beach is that it’s only a hop, skip and a jump away from Adelaide’s CBD, so is very accessible when it comes to beaches nearby capital cities. Glenelg is vibrant beachside suburb alive with lots of activity. The main street of Jetty Road features some great shopping opportunities and there is a handy tram service to and from the city. Glenelg is also home to the Beachouse, a fun park with waterslides, dodgem cars and loads more. Enjoy a drink at the mighty Stamford Grand Hotel on the esplanade and kick back and catch the boats cruise into the marina.

SCOTT PODMORE

Award-winning writer, editor, photographer, videographer and owner of October Grey Media. Specialising in travel, music and lifestyle content. Content strategist and bestselling author of books including Icons of Australian Music: Jimmy Barnes, 101 Great Websites To Save You $$$, and global smash Conversations With Mediums. Follow on Twitter & instragram #scottpodmore